Tracy McGrady and Mike James made the Nuggets feel Rocky Mountain Low.

McGrady and James combined for 55 points as the Rockets routed the Nuggets 115-87. The win put the Rockets 1 game ahead of the Nuggets and also gave them the tie-breaker, should they finish with the same record. Houston can clinch the 6th seed with a win or a Denver loss in the next 2 games.

Denver was led by Kenyon Martin?s 22 points and 9 boards, and Carmelo Anthony?s 16 points. The Nuggets were without starting center Marcus Camby, who sat out with a strained right hamstring.

Most Rockets? starters did not play many minutes. Bob Sura played just 13 minutes. Yao had a great night for is limited minutes: 13 points, 11 boards, and 5 blocks in just 23 minutes.